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Macedonian President on official visit to Slovenia

Brdo pri Kranju, 15.2.2011  |  press release


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The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, receives the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr Gjorge Ivanov (photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA)The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, and his wife, Barbara Miklič Türk, received the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr Gjorge Ivanov, and his wife, Maja Ivanov, as they arrived on a two-day official visit to the Republic of Slovenia. After a reception ceremony with military honours and a short discussion between the two presidential couples, President Türk and President Ivanov had a one-to-one meeting, followed by plenary talks between the Slovenian and Macedonian delegations, led by the respective presidents.
The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, and his wife, Barbara Miklič Türk, meet the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr Gjorge Ivanov, and his wife, Maja Ivanov (photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA)The two presidents then attended the signing of a protocol on cooperation in education between the Slovenian Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology and Ministry of Education and Sport, and the Macedonian Ministry of Education and Science. The protocol was signed on behalf of Slovenia by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Gregor Golobič.

In his statement to the press, President Türk stressed that Macedonia and Slovenia were friendly countries enjoying excellent relations and linked by numerous historical, political, economic, cultural and other ties. President Ivanov thanked President Türk for the invitation and warm reception. He also described relations between Macedonia and Slovenia as traditionally friendly and marked by a high degree of mutual understanding and trust, and noted that the two countries maintained constructive and productive political dialogue at all levels.
The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, and his wife, Barbara Miklič Türk, meet the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr Gjorge Ivanov, and his wife, Maja Ivanov (photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA)President Türk added that particular emphasis is placed on strengthening bilateral cooperation in every visit paid by a president of a country enjoying such warm and good political relations with Slovenia. He underlined the importance of economic cooperation and pointed to the extensive experience of the two countries in this field, particularly highlighting energy, telecommunications and tourism as the areas with greatest potential for developing cooperation. He also said that the signing of the protocol on cooperation in education indicated the intensity and diversity of relations between the two countries, and this would contribute towards extending bilateral cooperation.
The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, receives the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr Gjorge Ivanov (photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA)President Ivanov agreed with President Türk's observation regarding the importance of economic cooperation and expressed his expectation that the scheduled Slovenian-Macedonian business conference would increase business contacts between the two countries, and that joint action and investments in third markets would be made in the future. He also welcomed the signing of the protocol on cooperation in education and said that it was of particular importance to young people and students as it facilitated study-exchange programmes and mutual understanding.

President Türk gave assurances that Slovenia's traditional support to Macedonian efforts to join the European Union and NATO would continue, adding that Macedonia had been an important factor for stability in the Balkans and Europe, and, consequently, its joining the Euro-Atlantic structures was in the interest of stability and prosperity for all of Europe. He expressed his hope that the fulfilment of membership criteria would not be stalled, and offered direct assistance from Slovenia in any area required by Macedonia, including through the development-assistance programme, in which Macedonia is a preferred partner of Slovenia.
The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, and the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr Gjorge Ivanov, attend the signing of the protocol on cooperation in education (photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA)President Ivanov underlined that relations with Slovenia were of strategic importance to Macedonia. He recalled Macedonia's numerous achievements in two decades since its independence, and expressed his satisfaction with the fact that the first signs of economic recovery could be noted after the recession. He again thanked President Türk for Slovenia's aid and support in Macedonia's efforts to join the Euro-Atlantic structures, adding that Slovenian experience were of particular importance to Macedonia and that he hoped and expected that Slovenia would offer support and mentorship in drawing on EU pre-accession funds.
The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, receives the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr Gjorge Ivanov (photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA)The two presidents also discussed the dispute between Macedonia and Greece over the name of the Macedonian state. President Türk said that Slovenia respected the constitutional name of the Republic of Macedonia and called for a just solution to this issue that would satisfy the constitutional requirements and Macedonian needs for identity. He expressed his hope that this issue would be resolved as soon as possible. In addition to the mediation of the UN envoy, Matthew Nimetz, he also welcomed the setting up of contacts at high level between Macedonia and Greece, primarily the recent strengthening of relations at the level of the prime ministers of the two countries. He expressed hopes that this communication would facilitate dispute resolution, and called on both prime ministers to make every effort to reach a bilateral agreement before the issue is decided by the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, receives the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr Gjorge Ivanov (photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA)President Ivanov said that Macedonia had been successful in implementing reforms necessary for inclusion in the Euro-Atlantic structures, but this path was being hindered by the dispute with Greece. He advocated a prompt solution to this issue, to accelerate the integration process and enable Macedonian citizens to enjoy the benefits brought by reforms. He stressed that a solution acceptable to both sides and in accordance with the principles of international law was sought, and noted that the model set by Slovenia and Croatia in settling the border dispute could be applied, and provides a positive example.

The two presidents then exchanged views on the European Union and the situation in the region, and found a number of issues on which the two sides share views. They also discussed the cooperation between the two countries in the development of the Adriatic-Ionian euro-region. President Ivanov said that every meeting with President Türk was significant to him because of his extensive experience in international relations, and that his suggestions were very important for Macedonia.

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